Utah Department of Health Office of Health Disparities
The Connection: News about overcoming health disparities in Utah

Monday, March 19, 2012

Two Years Later: The Benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Utah

Health reform is already making a difference for the people of Utah by:
Providing new coverage options for young adults
Health plans are now required to allow parents to keep their children under age 26 without job-based coverage on their family’s coverage; 2.5 million young people have gained coverage nationwide.
Making prescription drugs affordable for seniors
22,353 people with Medicare in Utah received a $250 rebate to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole in 2010. By 2020, the law will close the donut hole.
Covering preventive services with no deductible or co-pay
In 2011, 185,608 people with Medicare in Utah received free preventive services – such as mammograms and colonoscopies – or a free annual wellness visit with their doctor.
Providing better value for your premium dollar through the 80/20 Rule
876,000 Utah residents with private insurance coverage will receive greater value for their premium dollars.
Scrutinizing unreasonable premium increases
Insurance companies are required to publicly justify their actions if they want to raise rates by 10 percent or more. Utah has received $4.3 million to help fight unreasonable premium increases.
Removing lifetime limits on health benefits
1,183,000 residents are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage. The law also restricts the use of annual limits and bans them completely in 2014.
Creating new coverage options for individuals with pre-existing conditions
As of the end of 2011, 696 previously uninsured residents of Utah who were locked out of the coverage system because of a pre-existing condition are now insured through a new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. To learn more about the plan available in Utah, check here.
Supporting Utah’s work on Affordable Insurance Exchanges
Utah has received $1 million in grants for research, planning, information technology development, and implementation of Affordable Insurance Exchanges.
  • $1 million in Planning Grants:  This grant provides Utah the resources needed to conduct the research and planning necessary to build a better health insurance marketplace and determine how its exchange will be operated and governed. Learn how the funds are being used in Utah here
Preventing illness and promoting health
Since 2010, Utah has received $8.8 million in grants from the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by the Affordable Care Act.
Increasing support for community health centers
Health centers in Utah have received $12.1 million to create new health center sites in medically underserved areas.
Strengthening partnerships with Utah 
Utah has received more than $34.1 million from the Affordable Care Act. Examples of Affordable Care Act grants not outlined above to Utah include:  
Last updated: March 15, 2012. For entire map and Utah Fact Sheet to go: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/resources/ut.html

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